Trinity Church in Menlo Park

 
We had a fabulous Festival of Music last Sunday at the 10 am service.  It was amazing to realize that about 50 people are involved with our music ministry at Trinity, people who volunteer their time and talent to provide the rich variety of musical offerings that we enjoy throughout the year.  A special thanks to our Music Director, Ron Valentino, for creating such an inviting space for people to offer their talents, and to the directors of our music groups:  Rick Hoffmeister, Elise Jones, Ron Mancini, and Nat Lewis.  And, of course, to all of our musicians and singers.

This coming Sunday marks the return of a "green season" in the life of the church.  The term that has come to be used for this time between Pentecost and Advent is Ordinary Time -- and it can occupy fully half of the calendar year.   Episcopal author Diana Butler Bass recently wondered why it is that we refer to this time as ordinary.  Wouldn't it make more sense, she offers, to refer to it as Extraordinary Time?  Typically, this season of the church year focuses on how the Spirit moves us to serve the world as Christ's hands and heart.  What an extraordinary privilege it is to live our lives as Spirit-filled people, showing others that God is love by the way in which we live.  

For some time now, we have been mentioning the possibility of opening a café on our campus as a social enterprise, employing women from Catherine's Center and other similar programs.  A Café Task Force has been working hard over the past few months, under the leadership of the Rev. Elizabeth Riley, to explore this possibility.  This week, the Vestry heard the task force's report, and concluded that it is time to move into the congregational discernment phase -- that is, to provide you with more information about this proposal and receive your feedback.  This will happen after church on June 12.  Please click here for more background information.

On Sunday, June 5, we will be having Church in the Park at 10:00 am.  Please join us as we worship at Burgess Park in Menlo Park, with music led by the Blue Grass Group.  Please remember that there is no seating at the park, so please bring a blanket to sit on and/or folding chairs, and sun protection.  Following the service, we will have fun and games as well as a BBQ, with food and cooking provided by our awesome Kitchen Crew.

Peace,
MatthewSignatureGenuine
 
HIGHLIGHTED EVENT: CHURCH AT THE PARK
Join us for the second annual Church at the Park Sunday! 

We are gathering on June 5th at Burgess Park (by the playground) for the 10 am worship service - featuring our Blue Grass Group. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on and stay after the service for a BBQ and games. Our Sunday soccer group will be playing at Burgess, so bring your gear if you want to join in a game of soccer.

This is a great Sunday to invite friends and visitors to worship with us! 

CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES NEWS
This Coming Sunday
10:00 am - Godly Play and Explorers. Last one of the season!

Children & Family Reminders
Our Last Godly Play and Explorers sessions meet this week on May 29th at 10:00.

Summer School for K-5th graders will explore "What Matters to Me and Why" from July 10 to Aug 14. 

All teachers and greeters are encouraged to join the Church in the park celebration on June 5th where we will recognize you for your generous and important service to our children.


Youth Reminder
Our youth mission trip to L.A. is three weeks away! Parents please submit final payments if you have not yet.

Trinity youth group is headed to LA for what promises to be an engaging, fun and formational time. Last year in Ferguson, Mo and the St. Louis area we learned a lot about social justice and race. One of the social justice issues we recognized and wanted to explore more was the fact that food is a social justice issue when people, because of where they live, cannot get healthy food. At the end of our trip last year we decided we would like to study this issue closer to home. As it runs out, The Episcopal Church is committed to food justice issues and in the Los Angeles area the church is doing a great deal to support healthy food options. During our seven days away we will work in farm-to-fork gardens, kitchens and food distribution centers coordinated by the Episcopal Church and we will learn more about why food justice matters to us as Christians. We will also have plenty of fun, as we always do . . . beach time and a few tourist events on scheduled as well. Follow our blog at Trinity's website from June 15-21. And thank you for supporting our trip!



UPCOMING TRINITY EVENTS
Home and Hope
June 19th to July 3rd

Home and Hope continues to provide a safe haven for homeless families by offering a safe, nurturing shelter and support while the families work to regain their self-sufficiency. This will be the fifth summer that the Trinity Community has welcomed H&H families.  Our visiting families will be with us from June 19th to July 3rd. Once again, we will need many volunteers for meals, overnight hosts, children's activities,  and food shopping. We welcome "new" volunteers as well as all of you who have been of great help the past four years.

A description of volunteer opportunities and needs can be found here.
 
For questions about the program contact Barbara Newton or Jim Bramlett. We will have sign-up sheets available after church on Sundays.

Women's Group - Camino Dinner and Movie
May 28th 7:00 pm

Join the Women of Trinity for a potluck dinner  on May 28th at the home of Christy Heaton. Kate Dutton-Gillett and Meg Rorden will share about their Camino experience from a couple of years ago. Afterwards there will be a viewing of "The Way". Plan to bring something to share for dinner and perhaps a lawn chair to watch the movie in their backyard. Please RSVP with Christy or contact her or Rev. Elizabeth with any questions. All women of Trinity are welcome! The Heaton's address is: 2031 Camino a los Cerros, Menlo Park.

If you would like to be on the email list for all future Women of Trinity activities and events please click here and select "subscribe to this group" - if you have any problems please contact Rev. Elizabeth.

Men's Group Plus One Dinner
June 1st @ 7:00 pm

The Men of Trinity are gathering for dinner at the home of Bob Cleveland on June 1st. All men of the congregation are invited to join and everyone is invited to bring a "plus one" - spouses, partners, and friends are welcome to join!

If you would like to be on the email list for all future Men's Group activities - and to RSVP for this dinner - click here and then select "apply for membership".
Gleaning at Grove Farm
June 4th, 9:30-11:00 am

Come help glean and harvest peas, apricots, and boysenberries at Grove Farm (the home of Nancy and Bill Grove). This is an excellent opportunity for children and families to do outreach together as a larger portion of the food will be going to places such as Second Harvest which feed those in need. Drop in for as much or as little time as you can, and bring a container for berry picking if you can. If you are interested in joining us or have questions contact Rev. Elizabeth. 

Hearts for Justice Planning Team
October 22, 2016

Are you interested in helping plan this year's Hearts for Justice conference? We have two fantastic speakers joining us to discuss addiction and recovery: Fr. Tom Weston and The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen. We are looking for members of the congregation to help us plan and organize the event. If you are interested in working on this please email Rev. Elizabeth. 

Stephen Ministry Training Begins Fall 2016

Stephen Ministry is Trinity's lay lead pastoral car program that trains members of the congregation to be prayer partners and pastoral support for members of our congregation. The training is extensive and deeply rewarding. If you are interested in becoming part of the Stephen Ministry team please email Rev. Elizabeth or talk to any of our current Stephen Ministers.

Big Sur Camping Trip
August 18-21, 2016

Join the Trinity community for a relaxing weekend of camping and fun in Big Sur!

The Santa Lucia Chapel and Campground, a mission of All Saints Parish in Carmel, is a private and secluded campground in the gorgeous Big Sur area. The campground itself is right on the Big Sur River and has a family friendly beach area. The campground has running water and toilets (but no showers), picnic tables, a group barbecue area and a large campfire circle.  A communal dinner will be prepared for all on Saturday night, but otherwise meals are individual responsibility. Our time together will include a Sunday morning Eucahrist in the outdoor chapel, as well as morning prayer and compline to start and end our days together. There are ocean beaches within driving distance for those who want to venture out. In general this weekend is a time to relax, play in the river and on the beach and have fun together as a church community. You are welcome to come for as much or as little time as you would like.
 
Cost:  $30 per person for the weekend (children under 5 stay for free; $100 max per family)
For more information contact Rev. Elizabeth Riley or register here.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Being Mortal Movie at Trinity 
June 17th, 7-9 pm
 
If you thought you were dying, what would matter most? Join us for a free screening and community discussion of Being Mortal, the PBS FRONTLINE film based on the best-seller by Atul Gawande, MD. This event is part of a national conversation about our individual end-of-life wishes and goals. After the screening, you can join a guided conversation on how to take concrete steps to identify and communicate your wishes. 
 
The movie is fee, but space is limited - please register here. 
 
Questions?
Contact Mary Matthiesen 
Twilight Fashion Show for Catherine's Center
August 30th 5:30-7:30 pm at Trinity Church

Catherine's Center will be hosting their annual fashion show fundraiser at Trinity on Tuesday August 30th. Join us for cocktails, mocktails, and heavy hors d'oeuvres to help support the work of Catherine's Center. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased here.
 
THIS COMING SUNDAY
May 29, 2016
Second Sunday After Pentecost

Sunday's Scriptures
1 Kings 18: 20-39 
Psalm 96: 1-9 
Galatians 1: 1-12 
Luke 7: 1-10 
  
    
5:05 Service:
There is no 5:05 Service during summer. The 5:05 returns September 18th.

Did you miss last Sunday? Listen to the sermon here!

LINKS
The Trinity Church calendar can be found here.

A complete list of upcoming Trinity events can be found here.

For information about online giving, and other information about Trinity, please visit our website: www.trinitymenlopark.org
 
 
 
PRAYER
Creator of the world, you are the potter, we are the clay, and you form us in your own image: Shape our spirits by Christ's transforming power, that as one people we may live out your compassion and justice, whole and sound in the realm of your peace. Amen.

From Daily Prayer for All Seasons
Sincerely,
 
Trinity Church Communications
Trinity Church in Menlo Park
650-326-2083